FALLS CHURCH, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Aerospace & Defense (A&D) industry continues to undergo major
business disruptions, and is responding with a mix of creative
technology solutions.

“In contrast to last year’s findings, which showed that many big
programs were undergoing large budget cuts, this year’s findings show
that A&D companies are seeking technologies that will help them win new
business in aftermarket and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), as
well as in emerging markets”

Survival depends on integrating with partners to create efficiencies
and access new markets

Aggressive new competitors are entering the marketplace

Intellectual property is under assault by sophisticated
state-sponsored adversaries

“In contrast to last year’s findings, which showed that many big
programs were undergoing large budget cuts, this year’s findings show
that A&D companies are seeking technologies that will help them win new
business in aftermarket and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), as
well as in emerging markets,” said Dave Howells, CSC’s vice president of
Design Services.

Mature Program Management

The A&D business model has shifted from manufacturing big end products
to also servicing and managing them throughout their lifecycle
(aftermarket and MRO services).

To provide such service, A&D companies must keep track of lots of moving
parts and maintenance records. This information needs to be synced with
engineering and production and other partners across the value chain.
This cannot be accomplished without mature program management tools.

Supply Chain Integration

The relative lack of large new aerospace programs is forcing the search
for new opportunities in emerging markets. As new competitors enter the
marketplace, competition for new business in emerging markets is fierce.

At the same time global supply chains are growing more complex,
customers are demanding improved quality, lower costs and faster
delivery. A&D companies and their partners must integrate their supply
chains, so they may collaborate more closely and be more competitive.

Security

In the modern era of advanced persistent threats and sophisticated
state-sponsored adversaries, most participants reveal that security is
becoming extremely important.

As A&D companies integrate partners into their supply chain and expand
their operations globally, there are increased opportunities for
adversaries to strike. All A&D firms are taking aggressive steps to
secure their systems and protect their mission-critical data and
intellectual property.

Technology-Enabled Business Solutions Key to Growth

Though many Survey respondents view IT as an overhead challenge that
must be managed carefully, they also view technology-enabled business
solutions as the key to addressing the current business disruptions.

Respondents reveal that IT is a significant business differentiator in
design-for-manufacture, product life cycle management and
decision-making. It also offers a conduit for innovation and enables
knowledge exploitation.

In a rapidly shifting marketplace, A&D executives recognize how
technology-enabled business solutions will help them manage complex
systems, work more closely with global partners to become more
competitive, improve collaboration among internal departments to drive
innovation and meet a wide range of growing challenges, such as
regulatory compliance. IT solutions that deliver business-based outcomes
are the key to supporting growth.

CSC is a global leader in providing technology-enabled business
solutions and services. Headquartered in Falls Church, Va., CSC has
approximately 91,000 employees and reported revenue of $16.0 billion for
the 12 months ended April 1, 2011. For more information, visit the
company's website at www.csc.com.